Spectral Synthesis for Image Capture Device Processing

ABSTRACT

A substantially rectangular spectral representation is synthesized, which is adapted to produce image capture device sensor outputs if applied to an image capture device. The synthesized substantially rectangular spectral representation can be utilized in generating output color values of an output color space from image capture device sensor outputs, where the image capture device sensor outputs correspond to an image captured by an image capture device. The generated output color values correspond to colors perceived by the human visual system for the same image as that captured by the image capture device. Image capture device gamut is also determined.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/581,051 filed on Dec. 28, 2011, U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/581,048 filed on Dec. 28,2011, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/733,551 filedon Dec. 5, 2012, all hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to color processing for image capturedevices. More particularly, an embodiment of the present inventionrelates to processing methods to achieve accurate color output fromimage capture devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, the phrases “spectral synthesis” and “spectral synthesisfor image capture device processing” may relate to processing methodsthat may be performed or computed to achieve accurate color output,e.g., from image capture devices. Tristimulus color processing models,such as RGB (red, green, blue), are commonplace. While RGB and othertristimulus models suffice for color identification, matching, andclassification, such models may be inherently limited in relation tocolor processing. By its nature, light comprises a spectrum ofelectromagnetic energy, which generally cannot be represented completelyby, for instance, a red, a green, and a blue color value. With RGB basedinformation as well as tristimulus values corresponding to cone cellsreceptive to short, medium, and long wavelength light (e.g., blue,green, and red), the human visual system (HVS) attempts to infer anoriginal, natural stimulus.

Multi-spectral systems typically capture, process, and displaymulti-spectral images. Multi-spectral cameras for example may outputmore than three channels. Output channels can be rendered with amulti-primary printer or display. Some multi-spectral systems aredesigned to render a print output with a reflectance spectrum that isnearly identical to a reflectance spectrum of an original object.Multi-spectral representations of images generally fall into twoclasses. The more common class measures intensity or reflectance oversmaller intervals in wavelength, which generally necessitates use ofmore than three channels (e.g., more than channels R, G, and B) (seereference [1], incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). Theless common class uses the Wyszecki hypothesis (see reference [2],incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) which characterizesreflectance spectra as being comprised of two components, a fundamentalcomponent which captures a perceptually relevant tristimulusrepresentation plus a residual component which represents the grossfeatures of the overall reflectance spectrum. Wyszecki labeled thisresidual component the metameric black. An example of this second classis the LabPQR color space. In the LabPQR representation, the tristimulusportion is the Lab color space while PQR represents the residual. Foremissive rendering and presentation of images using electronic displays,reflectance spectra identity is not crucial.

A picture produced by a camera or other image capture device isgenerally not quite the same as what would be perceived by human eyes.

Processing inside an image capture device generally involves a 3×3matrix that transforms sensor outputs into a color space of an outputimage. Results of applying this matrix transformation generally do notreproduce what would be perceived by human eyes unless spectralsensitivities of the image capture device's sensors can be representedas a linear combination of color matching functions. In many cases,magnitude of these errors in the results is not inconsequential.

Existing DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) cameras, for instance, mayhave a knob to select a different 3×3 matrix for different types ofscenes (e.g., night, sports, cloudy, portrait, etc.). However, inpractice, getting the color right in general and also, for instance, forcertain memory colors, such as face (skin) tones, can be problematic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure and, together with the description of exampleembodiments, serve to explain the principles and implementations of thedisclosure.

FIG. 1A depicts a spectral image processing method in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B depicts a spectral expansion module.

FIG. 1C depicts a manipulation of image capture device color sensoroutputs in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts (x, y) chromaticity space divided into rectangularband-pass and band-gap spectra.

FIG. 3 depicts three-parameter and four-parameter rectangular spectralrepresentations.

FIG. 4 depicts colors represented in both a rectangular spectrum in theλ domain as well as in chromaticity space.

FIGS. 5A-5C depict a circular representation of the λ domain.

FIG. 6A depicts a spectral synthesis module in accordance with thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 6B depicts a wavelength determination module in accordance with thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 7 depicts a rectangular representation of RGB (red, green, blue)basis colors, white, magenta, and a RYGCBV (red, yellow, green, cyan,blue, violet) filter bank.

FIG. 8 depicts a sigmoid mapping curve relating input and output colorintensities.

FIG. 9 depicts a digital camera processing method.

FIG. 10 depicts a simplified digital camera processing method.

FIG. 11 depicts output colors from a camera and actual colors forcomparison.

FIG. 12 depicts CIE (International Commission on Illumination) 1931color matching functions.

FIG. 13 depicts camera spectral sensitivities for a digital camera.

FIG. 14A depicts a method for synthesizing correct color outputs basedon image capture device sensor outputs in accordance with an embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIGS. 14B-14C depict examples of substantially rectangular spectralrepresentations.

FIGS. 15A-15F depict image capture device processing methods, inaccordance with embodiment of the present disclosure, using synthesizedsubstantially rectangular spectra.

FIG. 16 depicts an example of image capture device processing that isequivalent to a mapping from captured RGB (red, green, blue) values tocorrect color XYZ (tristimulus values corresponding to CIE 1931 colorspace) values.

FIG. 17 depicts a method for determining image capture device gamut inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 depicts band-pass and band-gap spectra in both linear andcircular wavelength domains.

FIG. 19 depicts the behavior near the boundary between band-pass andband-gap spectra.

FIGS. 20A and 20B depict colors for rectangular spectra represented in a[λ_(↑),λ_(↓)] plane.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

In an example embodiment of the disclosure, a method for synthesizing asubstantially rectangular spectral representation based on a pluralityof image capture device sensor outputs is presented, the plurality ofimage capture device sensor outputs being a result of an input spectrumof an image adapted to be captured by an image capture device, themethod comprising: providing the plurality of image capture devicesensor outputs, wherein each image capture device sensor output isassociated with a corresponding image capture device spectralsensitivity; determining a first wavelength and a second wavelength ofthe substantially rectangular spectral representation based on theplurality of image capture device sensor outputs; and computing a scalefactor based on any one of the image capture device sensor outputs andits corresponding image capture device spectral sensitivity tosynthesize the substantially rectangular spectral representation basedon the plurality of image capture device sensor outputs, wherein: thesynthesized substantially rectangular spectral representation is adaptedto produce the plurality of image capture device sensor outputs ifapplied to the image capture device, and the first wavelength comprisesa wavelength where the substantially rectangular spectral representationtransitions from zero to the scale factor and the second wavelengthcomprises a wavelength where the substantially rectangular spectralrepresentation transitions from the scale factor to zero.

In an example embodiment of the disclosure, a method for generatingoutput color values of an output color space from a plurality of imagecapture device sensor outputs is presented, the plurality of imagecapture device sensor outputs being a result of an input spectrum of animage captured by an image capture device, the method comprising:providing color matching functions associated with the output colorspace; providing the plurality of image capture device sensor outputs;synthesizing a spectral representation based on the plurality of imagecapture device sensor outputs, wherein the synthesized spectralrepresentation is adapted to produce the plurality of image capturedevice sensor outputs if applied to the image capture device; andapplying the synthesized spectral representation to the color matchingfunctions to obtain the output color values.

In an example embodiment of the disclosure, a method for determininggamut of an image capture device is presented, the method comprising:simulating exposure of a cube to the image capture device, wherein: thecube comprises a representation in a rectangular space of substantiallyrectangular spectra characterized by three dimensions, wherein a firstdimension spans possible values of a first wavelength, a seconddimension spans possible values of a second wavelength, and a thirddimension spans possible values of a scale factor, each point in thecube corresponds to an input substantially rectangular spectrum, andeach input substantially rectangular spectrum is characterized by aninput scale factor, an input first wavelength, and an input secondwavelength, wherein the input first wavelength comprises a wavelengthwhere the input spectrum transitions from zero to the input scale factorand the input second wavelength comprises a wavelength where the inputspectrum transitions from the input scale factor to zero; synthesizingan output spectral representation characterized by an output scalefactor, an output first wavelength, and an output second wavelength,wherein the output first wavelength comprises a wavelength where theoutput spectral representation transitions from zero to the output scalefactor and the output second wavelength comprises a wavelength where theoutput spectral representation transitions from the output scale factorto zero; and determining a set of substantially rectangular spectra fromamong the substantially rectangular spectra represented by the cube forwhich: the output scale factor is equal to the input scale factor, theoutput first wavelength is equal to the input first wavelength, and theoutput second wavelength is equal to the input second wavelength,wherein the determined set of substantially rectangular spectraconstitutes the gamut of the image capture device.

In an example embodiment of the disclosure, a system configured tosynthesize a substantially rectangular spectral representation based ona plurality of image capture device sensor outputs is presented, theplurality of image capture device sensor outputs being a result of aninput spectrum of an image adapted to be captured by an image capturedevice, wherein each image capture device sensor output is associatedwith a corresponding image capture device spectral sensitivity, thesystem comprising: a wavelength determination module that is configuredto determine a first wavelength and a second wavelength of thesubstantially rectangular spectral representation based on the pluralityof image capture device sensor outputs; and a scale factor computationmodule that is configured to compute a scale factor based on any one ofthe image capture device sensor outputs and its corresponding imagecapture device spectral sensitivity, wherein: the synthesized spectralrepresentation is adapted to produce the plurality of image capturedevice sensor outputs if applied to the image capture device, and thefirst wavelength comprises a wavelength where the substantiallyrectangular spectral representation transitions from zero to the scalefactor and the second wavelength comprises a wavelength where thesubstantially rectangular spectral representation transitions from thescale factor to zero.

In an example embodiment of the disclosure, a system configured togenerate output color values of an output color space from a pluralityof image capture device sensor outputs is presented, the plurality ofimage capture device sensor outputs being a result of an input spectrumof an image adapted to be captured by an image capture device, whereinthe output color space is associated with color matching functions, thesystem comprising: a spectral synthesis module that is configured tosynthesize a spectral representation based on the plurality of imagecapture device sensor outputs, wherein the synthesized spectralrepresentation is adapted to produce the plurality of image capturedevice sensor outputs if applied to the image capture device; and aspectral application module that is configured to apply the synthesizedspectral representation to the color matching functions to generate theoutput color values.

In an example embodiment of the disclosure, a system configured todetermine gamut of an image capture device is presented, the systemcomprising: an exposure simulation module configured to simulateexposure of a cube to the image capture device, wherein: the cubecomprises a representation in a rectangular space of substantiallyrectangular spectra characterized by three dimensions, wherein a firstdimension spans possible values of a first wavelength, a seconddimension spans possible values of a second wavelength, and a thirddimension spans possible values of a scale factor, each point in thecube corresponds to an input substantially rectangular spectrum, andeach input substantially rectangular spectrum is characterized by aninput scale factor, an input first wavelength, and an input secondwavelength, wherein the input first wavelength comprises a wavelengthwhere the input spectrum transitions from zero to the input scale factorand the input second wavelength comprises a wavelength where the inputspectrum transitions from the input scale factor to zero; a spectralsynthesis module that is configured to synthesize an output spectralrepresentation, wherein the output spectral representation ischaracterized by an output scale factor, an output first wavelength, andan output second wavelength, wherein the output first wavelengthcomprises a wavelength where the output spectral representationtransitions from zero to the output scale factor and the output secondwavelength comprises a wavelength where the output spectralrepresentation transitions from the output scale factor to zero; and acomparison module that is configured to determine a set of substantiallyrectangular spectra from among the substantially rectangular spectrarepresented by the cube for which: the output scale factor is equal tothe input scale factor, the output first wavelength is equal to theinput first wavelength, and the output second wavelength is equal to theinput second wavelength, wherein the determined set of substantiallyrectangular spectra constitutes the gamut of the image capture device.

Tristimulus-based systems and spectral or multi-spectral systems may belargely incompatible and practiced by separate enterprises. The presentdisclosure bridges that gap between the tristimulus-based systems andspectral or multi-spectral systems and describes methods fortransforming from a tristimulus domain into a spectral domain. Thesetransformations enable application of spectral and multi-spectral imageprocessing methods to tristimulus image data.

As used herein, the term “image capture device” may refer to any deviceadapted to form an image. The image capture device captures visualinformation in the form of still or moving pictures. Image information(e.g., image size, image resolution, file format, and so forth)associated with such images may also be stored. Processing of storedinformation may also be performed. Such image capture devices mayinclude cameras and/or line-scan cameras, flatbed scanners, and othersuch devices.

As used herein, the term “synthesis” may refer to generation of a signalbased on the combination of entities that comprise parameters and/orfunctions. According to the present disclosure, synthesis of a spectralrepresentation based on color values or image capture device sensoroutputs is provided.

As used herein, the terms “actual color” and “correct color” are usedinterchangeably and are defined herein to mean color perceived by thehuman visual system.

As used herein, the term “module” may refer to a unit configured toperform certain functions. Modules may be implemented in hardware,software, firmware or combination thereof.

Section 1

FIG. 1A depicts an image processing method in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1B depicts the expansionmodule of FIG. 1A, comprising a spectral synthesis module (600A)followed by a filter bank (700). As depicted in FIG. 1C, processing maynot necessarily occur within an image capture device. In such case,there may only be expansion into a substantially rectangularrepresentation followed by projection into an original domain in orderto present accurate colors (explained further in section 2).

Referring now to FIG. 1A, a tristimulus representation of color values,for example, RGB (red, green, blue), resulting from an input spectrumare first expanded to a six-basis color representation RYGCBV (red,yellow, green, cyan, blue, violet). This choice for the number ofprimaries is partially reinforced by statistical analysis of a largedatabase of real-world object reflectances. In this case, it is shownthat 99% of the statistical variation of the reflectance dataset can bedescribed by as few as 6 basis vectors (see reference [3], incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety). The image can then be processed inthe RYGCBV domain. Following processing, the RYGCBV representation ofthe processed image can then be projected back onto the original RGBdomain. It should be noted that, although the RGB and RYGCBV colorspaces are considered in the present discussion, color spaces such asYUV, YCbCr, HSV, CMYK and other color spaces known by a person skilledin the art can also be considered.

By way of example, and not limitation, the input (102A) and output(118A) may also be XYZ tristimulus values. By way of example, and notlimitation, the expanded representations (105A, 115A) may comprise anumber of values other than 6, such as 31 if the visible spectrum isconsidered as ranging from 400 nm to 700 nm in 10 nm increments. Otherpossibilities include using a 7 color representation (ROYGCBV) or a 10color representation. A 6 color representation is useful because itprovides a balance between accuracy and computational complexity.

Expanding RGB or XYZ values may not result in a unique spectralexpansion because of metamerism (a phenomenon where two different inputspectra can result in the same RGB color values). However, as long as achosen spectral representation, if applied to analysis functions(discussed in greater detail below) corresponding to RGB or XYZ values,would result in the RGB or XYZ values resulting from the input spectrum,accurate color representation relative to actual color can be preserved.

Any given color is a spectrum of light. Such spectrum may beapproximately represented according to the equation given below:

${{S\lbrack\lambda\rbrack} \cong {\hat{S}\lbrack\lambda\rbrack}} = {\sum\limits_{i}^{N}{C_{i}{B_{i}\lbrack\lambda\rbrack}}}$

wherein S[λ] represents an input spectrum, Ŝ[λ] represents anapproximate representation, C_(i) represents an i-th color output value,B_(i)[λ] represents an i-th basis function, and N represents the numberof basis functions. For example, an approximate RGB representation canbe expressed by the equation

Ŝ[λ]=C _(R) B _(R) [λ]+C _(G) B _(G) [λ]+C _(B) B _(B)[λ].

The basis functions are generally defined functions. For the CIE(International Commission on Illumination) 1931 color space (amathematically defined color space created by the CIE in 1931; seereference [4], incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), thebasis functions are narrowband with peaks at 435.8, 546.1, and 700nanometers. For displays, the basis functions are the spectralemissions.

Basis functions are associated with matching analysis functionsA_(i)[λ], which can be used to determine color output values C_(i)according to the following equation:

C_(i) = S[λ] ⋅ A_(i)[λ] = ∫_(λ = 360)^(λ = 810)S[λ]A_(i)[λ] λ

where the matching analysis functions and basis functions are relatedaccording to the equation:

A _(i) [λ]B _(j)[λ]=δ_(ij)

and the limits of integration at 360 nm and 810 nm represent lower(λ_(min)) and upper (λ_(max)) limits of wavelengths of visible light.

The preceding equations can also be generalized for other analysisfunctions (e.g. can be expanded to include infrared and/or ultraviolet).While the equations above indicate orthogonal basis functions, otherbasis functions can be used as well. By way of example and not oflimitation, basis functions could be orthogonal with respect to amatrix. Although generally not likely, it should be noted that ananalysis function can be identical to its corresponding basis function.Analysis functions have meaning as well. For CIE 1931 color space, theyare spectral matching functions. Analysis functions can also be spectralsensitivities of an image capture device or eye spectral sensitivities.

An embodiment of the present disclosure utilizes substantiallyrectangular spectra similar to those proposed by MacAdam to generate anew representation of a given color using, for instance, six basiscolors RYGCBV.

MacAdam formalized a spectral representation for “maximum efficiency”reflectance spectra (see reference [5], incorporated herein by referencein its entirety). These spectra have the property that, for any desiredhue and saturation, the efficiency (i.e., reflected luminance) ismaximized. Such spectra can be interpreted as “optimal ink”. This familyof spectra is complete—any possible chromaticity can be represented.MacAdam characterized these reflectance spectra as having binary values,0 and 1, and two transition wavelengths, λ_(↑) for a 0→1 transition andλ_(↓) for a 1→0 transition. This gives rise to band-pass and band-gapspectra, which occupy the (x, y) chromaticity domain as depicted in FIG.2.

Although MacAdam viewed these rectangular spectra as pure reflectancespectra, it is possible to extend them for a general spectralrepresentation of light by introducing a scale factor I:

${S_{rect}\left\lbrack {{\lambda;\lambda_{\uparrow}},\lambda_{\downarrow},I} \right\rbrack} = \left\{ {\begin{matrix}{I,} & {{{if}\mspace{14mu} \lambda_{\uparrow}} \leq {\lambda_{\downarrow}\mspace{14mu} {and}\mspace{14mu} \left( {\lambda \geq {\lambda_{\uparrow}\mspace{14mu} {and}\mspace{14mu} \lambda} \leq \lambda_{\downarrow}} \right)}} \\{I,} & {{{if}\mspace{14mu} \lambda_{\uparrow}} > {\lambda_{\downarrow}\mspace{14mu} {and}\mspace{14mu} \left( {\lambda \geq {\lambda_{\uparrow}\mspace{14mu} {or}\mspace{14mu} \lambda} \leq \lambda_{\downarrow}} \right)}} \\{0,} & {otherwise}\end{matrix}.} \right.$

The three-parameter rectangular spectrum is adequate for representingall possible perceivable colors. However, real objects generally cannotbe represented completely by rectangular spectra. Real objects tend toreflect or transmit some light at all wavelengths, even thoughreflectance may be dominant over a more limited range of wavelengths.This can be largely accounted for by adding an additional parameter,which represents a low value for the rectangular spectrum. This can bewritten as a four-parameter rectangular spectrum:

${S_{4,{rect}}\left\lbrack {{\lambda;\lambda_{\uparrow}},\lambda_{\downarrow},I_{h},I_{l}} \right\rbrack} = \left\{ {\begin{matrix}{I_{h},} & {{{if}\mspace{14mu} \lambda_{\uparrow}} \leq {\lambda_{\downarrow}\mspace{14mu} {and}\mspace{14mu} \left( {\lambda \geq {\lambda_{\uparrow}\mspace{14mu} {and}\mspace{14mu} \lambda} \leq \lambda_{\downarrow}} \right)}} \\{I_{h},} & {{{if}\mspace{14mu} \lambda_{\uparrow}} > {\lambda_{\downarrow}\mspace{14mu} {and}\mspace{14mu} \left( {\lambda \geq {\lambda_{\uparrow}\mspace{14mu} {or}\mspace{14mu} \lambda} \leq \lambda_{\downarrow}} \right)}} \\{I_{l},} & {otherwise}\end{matrix}.} \right.$

It should be noted that the three-parameter rectangular spectrum can berepresented as a four-parameter rectangular spectrum with the low valueI_(l) set to 0. Spectral diagrams for both the three-parameter andfour-parameter rectangular spectral representations are depicted in FIG.3. Further discussion of the properties of rectangular spectra is givenin Table A, which forms an integral part of the present disclosure.

A given color represented by (x, y) coordinates in chromaticity spacecan be represented as a rectangular bandpass or bandgap spectrum (seeFIG. 4). Alternatively, the [λ_(min), λ_(max)] domain (the wavelengthsof visible light) itself can be interpreted as circular, allowing allspectra to have a band-pass form. In such a case, what were formerlyband-gap spectra become band-pass spectra that cross the λ_(min)/λ_(max)point (see FIGS. 5A-5C). The highlighted portions of the circulardomains depicted in FIGS. 5B and 5C indicate wavelengths at which thevalue of the rectangular spectrum is equal to the scale factor I.Interpretation of the [λ_(min), λ_(max)] domain as circular resulting inall spectra having a band-pass form is also depicted in FIG. 18,explained further in Table A.

In order to perform spectral expansion on a set of original tristimulusvalues (which can be from any color space) from an image to beprocessed, chromaticity coordinates are first used to compute λ_(↑) andλ_(↓). The scale factor, I, is then derived from λ_(↑), λ_(↓) and theoriginal tristimulus values.

FIG. 6A depicts a spectral synthesis module (600A) that can be utilizedin the image processing method depicted in FIG. 1A (specifically, usedas part of the expansion depicted in FIG. 1B). XYZ tristimulus values(610A) are input into a wavelength determination module (620A, depictedin detail in FIG. 6B) to determine the transition wavelengths (615B)λ_(↑) and λ_(↓). The computations can involve computing (600B) values xand y (605B) based on the XYZ tristimulus values (610A):

$x = \frac{X}{X + Y + Z}$ $y = {\frac{Y}{X + Y + Z}.}$

A two-dimensional lookup table (2D-LUT, 610B) can then be utilized tomap the values x and y to determine the transition wavelengths (615B)λ_(↑) and λ_(↓). Based on these transition wavelengths λ_(↑), and λ_(↓),the scale factor I can be determined by a scale factor computationmodule (650A) comprised of a circular integration module (640A) and adivision module (660A). The circular integration module (640A) canperform circular integration of any one of the spectral analysisfunctions [ x[λ], y[λ], z[λ]] (630A) over an interval defined by thetransition wavelengths λ_(↑), and λ_(↓). By way of example, and notlimitation, FIG. 6A depicts circular integration of x[λ]. A personskilled in the art can understand that y[λ] or z[λ] any combination ofthe spectral analysis functions can be used for performing circularintegration as well. A result of the circular integration module (640A)is then provided to the division module (660A) to produce a scale factorI. Specifically, the scale factor I can be given by the followingequation:

I = X ↑ , ↓  x _  [ λ ]   λ = Y ↑ , ↓  y _  [ λ ]   λ = Z ↑ , ↓ z _  [ λ ]   λ .

These integrals can be computed, for instance, with two table look-upsand addition/subtraction operations. In this manner, the threeparameters of the rectangular spectrum [λ_(↑), λ_(↓), I] (670) aredetermined to synthesize the rectangular spectrum.

As depicted in FIG. 7, a synthesized rectangular spectrum can befiltered (the filter banks can but need not be equal in bandwidth) toproduce RYGCBV color values. At this point, image processing may beperformed on the RYGCBV color values.

According to several embodiments of the present disclosure, a class ofprocessing operations applicable to both tristimulus and spectral ormulti-spectral representations is described. For traditional RGB dataassociated with an image, there are two common mathematical operations:multiplication by a 3×3 matrix and independent non-linear transformationof the individual RGB channels. Matrix multiplication is commonly usedto adjust color and/or the effects of the illuminant. Non-lineartransformation is often referred to as tone-mapping because thenon-linear transformation alters visual tone (brightness and contrast)of the image. Note that any number of 3×3 matrix multiplications can becollapsed into a single 3×3 matrix multiplication and that similarly anynumber of one dimensional (1D) transformations of each of the RGBchannels can similarly be collapsed into just one non-lineartransformation for each of those three channels. Thus, an image can beprocessed through a set of three non-linear transformations, one foreach channel associated with the image, followed by a matrixmultiplication.

For example, even with only the traditional three RGB channels, atransformation as specified above comprising performing non-lineartransformation followed by matrix multiplication can accuratelyencapsulate the differences between the image formats common today,which possess limited intensity range and color, to potential futureformats possessing larger intensity range (often called dynamic range)and color gamut.

This class of transformations can be generalized to a multi-spectralcase for any number of color channels through the following relation:

O _(i) =M _(ij) T _(j) [I _(j)]

i,j=1, . . . ,N

where I_(j) denotes a j-th input color channel value (e.g., R, G, or Bin an RGB representation or R, Y, G, C, B, or V, in an RYGCBVrepresentation), T_(j) denotes non-linear transformation applied toI_(j), M_(ij) denotes an N×N matrix, and O_(i) denotes an i-th outputcolor channel value.

The spectral image processing method discussed above can be applied tospectral color correction. In practice, primary color correction can beapplied through modifications directly to the RGB channelsindependently. While these modifications can account for primarymanipulations that will need to be performed, it is difficult tomanipulate specific hues only. For example, it is difficult to make ayellow hue more intense without modifying R and G (the adjacent colors)or B (reducing blue has the effect of directly increasing yellow).Fundamentally, this is because three color channels are sufficient tomatch a given color, but insufficient for hue control as there are fourfundamental hues perceptually, red vs. green and blue vs. yellow, asdescribed by opponent color theory.

In practice, this can be handled by secondary color correction.Secondary color correction transforms the RGB data into an HSL(hue-saturation-luminance) representation and modifies HSL valuesconditionally over a specified range of hue-saturation-luminance values.Since yellow is half-way between red and green, cyan is half-way betweengreen and blue, and magenta is half-way between blue and red, secondarycolor correction is often implemented with 6 hues, RYGCBM, which can bereferred to as 6-axis secondary color correction. Primary and globalsecondary color correction can be integrated in the methods of spectralimage processing in accordance with the present disclosure utilizing,for example, RYGCBV color values (note that M is not necessary as it isalways a BR mixture, unlike C and Y). A sigmoid tone curve, depicted inFIG. 8, can be modified for adjustment of amplitude, gamma, toe, andshoulder. Re-saturation can be performed by adding white or by spectralbroadening.

Section 2

According to additional embodiments of the present disclosure, spectralsynthesis methods can be applied to image capture device processing.FIG. 9 depicts a processing method performed in modern digital imagecapture devices (see reference [6], incorporated herein by reference inits entirety). Raw image capture device sensor outputs (905) (e.g., R,G1, G2, and B values) resulting from an input spectrum S[λ] are firstprocessed (910) according to a method comprising one or more oflinearization (if necessary), deBayering (e.g., for single-chipsensors), and white-balancing. A Bayer filter mosaic is a color filterarray for arranging RGB color filters on a square grid of photosensorsin an image capture device. Obtaining a full-color image involvesreversing this process in a step known as deBayering (see reference [7],incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). White-balancing is anadjustment of intensities of primary colors (e.g., red, green, and blue)to correctly render specific colors (see reference [8], incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety).

Data obtained from such processing (910) of the raw image capture devicesensor outputs (905) are then generally transformed to an output colorspace (e.g., RGB color space in FIG. 9) by a 3×3 matrix (915). Thetransformation output can be tone processed and/or clipped (920) to aspecific range. The processing performed in each of blocks (910), (915),and (920) yields an output color space (925) from the raw image capturedevice sensor outputs (905).

According to several embodiments of the present disclosure, imagecapture device processing methods alternative to the 3×3 matrix arepresented. The 3×3 matrix alone may not be sufficient to describeaccurate transformation of image capture device sensor outputs to outputcolors (925).

In order to focus on the possible issues with this 3×3 matrix (915),consider the simplified configuration depicted in FIG. 10.

For the present discussion, consider an image capture device comprisinga red (R), green (G), and blue (B) channels (e.g., RGB is considered aninput color space) and consider CIE [X, Y, Z] as an output color space(1020). It should be noted that, although the RGB and CIE color spacesare considered in the present discussion, color spaces such as YUV,YCbCr, HSV, CMYK and other color spaces known by a person skilled in theart can also be considered.

Tristimulus values [X, Y, Z] can be determined from an input spectrumS[λ] and color matching functions [ x[λ], y[λ], z[λ]] defined over aninterval [λ_(min), λ_(max)] by the equations

X=∫ _(λ) _(min) ^(λ) _(max) x[λ]S[λ]dλ

Y=∫ _(λ) _(min) ^(λ) _(max) y[λ]S[λ]dλ

Z=∫ _(λ) _(min) ^(λ) _(max) y[λ]I[λ]dλ

where the interval [λ_(min), λ_(max)] encompasses wavelengths of lightgenerally perceptible by a human visual system. FIG. 12 depicts anexample of such functions as determined by CIE in 1931.

Similarly, image capture device sensor outputs [R_(S), G_(S), B_(S)](1010) (where the subscript indicates sensor) are determined by imagecapture device spectral sensitivities [ r _(S)[λ], g _(S)[λ], b _(S)[λ]]using analogous equations

R _(S)=∫_(λ) _(min) ^(λ) _(max) r _(S) [λ]S[λ]dλ

G _(S)=∫_(λ) _(min) ^(λ) _(max) g _(S) [λ]S[λ]dλ

B _(S)=∫_(λ) _(min) ^(λ) _(max) b _(S) [λ]S[λ]dλ

where the image capture device spectral sensitivities representwavelength response of image capture device color channels. FIG. 13depicts an example of such functions for an example modern digitalcamera.

FIG. 11 depicts that an output color [X_(S), Y_(S), Z_(S)] (1135) fromthe image capture device, obtained through applying a 3×3 matrixtransformation (1130) to image capture device sensor outputs [R_(S),G_(S), B_(S)] (1125), may not be the same as actual color [X, Y, Z](1105) perceived by the human visual system. Color accuracy between theoutput color from the image capture device [X_(S), Y_(S), Z_(S)] (1135)and the actual color [X, Y, Z] (1105) can generally be guaranteed onlywhen the image capture device spectral sensitivities [ r _(S)[λ], g_(S)[λ], b _(S)[λ]] (1120) are an invertible linear combination of colormatching functions (1110). Mathematically, this occurs when there existsa 3×3 matrix Q such that

$\begin{bmatrix}{{\overset{\_}{r}}_{S}\lbrack\lambda\rbrack} \\{{\overset{\_}{g}}_{S}\lbrack\lambda\rbrack} \\{{\overset{\_}{b}}_{S}\lbrack\lambda\rbrack}\end{bmatrix} = {Q\begin{bmatrix}{\overset{\_}{x}\lbrack\lambda\rbrack} \\{\overset{\_}{y}\lbrack\lambda\rbrack} \\{\overset{\_}{z}\lbrack\lambda\rbrack}\end{bmatrix}}$

where Q⁻¹ exists.

Multiplying the above equation on both sides by the input spectrum S[λ](1115) and integrating both sides yield the result

$\begin{bmatrix}R_{S} \\G_{S} \\B_{S}\end{bmatrix} = {{Q\begin{bmatrix}X \\Y \\Z\end{bmatrix}}.}$

It follows that

$\begin{bmatrix}X \\Y \\Z\end{bmatrix} = {{Q^{- 1}\begin{bmatrix}R_{S} \\G_{S} \\B_{S}\end{bmatrix}}.}$

With reference back to FIG. 11, to obtain the actual color [X, Y, Z](1105) directly, ideally the image capture device spectral sensitivities[ r _(S)[λ], g _(S)[λ], b _(S)[λ]] (1120) should be identical to thecolor matching functions [ x[λ], y[λ], z[λ]] (1110). If these idealspectral sensitivities (which equal the color matching functions) aremodified by a matrix Q to produce the actual image capture devicespectral sensitivities, then such modification can be undone (e.g., bytransforming the image capture device sensor outputs (1125) with Q⁻¹) toproduce the actual color [X, Y, Z] (1105).

If the relationship between the image capture device spectralsensitivities [ r _(S)[λ], g _(S)[λ], b _(S)[λ]] (1120) and the colormatching functions [ x[λ], y[λ], z[λ]] (1110) is more complex than alinear transform, a 3×3 matrix may not be sufficient.

Differences between the color matching functions and image capturedevice spectral sensitivities can be significant. FIG. 12 depicts theCIE (International Commission on Illumination) 1931 color matchingfunctions while FIG. 13 depicts exemplary spectral sensitivities for amodem digital motion picture camera (the ARRI D-21). In 1931, the CIEcreated a mathematically defined color space known as CIE 1931. Thecolor matching functions of FIG. 12 correspond to this color space (seereference [4], incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). Thereis no linear combination of color matching functions that would yieldthe spectral sensitivities for this camera. Specifically, the CIE 1931color matching functions are smooth, whereas the camera spectralsensitivities are not. Consideration of such camera response, asprovided by the camera spectral sensitivities, is generally not takeninto account in the sensor to output processing.

Although applying a matrix transform may not be sufficient fortransforming the image capture device sensor outputs to the actualcolor, accurate processing from the image capture device sensor outputsto an output color space can exhibit overall linearity. That is, if{right arrow over (C)}_(S) represents the sensor output [R_(S), G_(S),B_(S)], {right arrow over (C)}_(out) represents the output color [X_(S),Y_(S), Z_(S)], and P[ ] represents processing between the image capturedevice sensor output and the output color, e.g.,

{right arrow over (C)} _(out) =P[{right arrow over (C)} _(S)]

then multiplying the input {right arrow over (C)}_(S) by some constant αcauses outputs to change by the same factor,

P[α{right arrow over (C)} _(S) ]=α{right arrow over (C)} _(out).

However, even when such properties of linearity are exhibited, theprocessing may not necessarily be by means of applying a matrixexclusively. Such a matrix can be determined by minimizing a particularerror metric over a training set of color stimuli. Some recommendedprocedures for determining a matrix in this manner are described inreference [6], incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

According to several embodiments of the present disclosure, methods andsystems for generating actual color perceived by a human visual systemfrom given image capture device spectral sensitivities are described.

FIG. 14A depicts an embodiment of a method and system for synthesizing aspectral representation Ŝ[λ] (1435A) that, if applied to the imagecapture device, can produce the observed image capture device sensoroutputs [R_(S), G_(S), B_(S)] (1425A). This method can be utilized withnegative tristimulus values.

The synthesized spectrum Ŝ[λ] (1435A) can produce the observed imagecapture device sensor outputs [R_(S), G_(S), B_(S)] (1425A) regardlessof whether or not the synthesized spectrum Ŝ[λ] (1435A) is an actualspectrum S[λ] (1415A). Specifically, the synthesized spectrum Ŝ[λ](1435A) can produce the correct [X, Y, Z] (1405A, 1445A).

Once the synthesized spectrum Ŝ[λ] (1435A) has been determined, thecorrect output color [X, Y, Z] (1405A, 1445A) can be obtained.

According to several embodiments of the present disclosure,substantially rectangular spectra can be utilized as the synthesizedspectrum Ŝ[λ] (1435A). As used in the present disclosure, the term“substantially rectangular” may refer to a shape of a spectrum that mayclosely approximate a rectangular shape, but is not necessarily exactlyrectangular in shape. By way of example and not of limitation, aspectrum characterized by side walls that are not exactly perpendicularto the horizontal (λ) axis can be considered substantially rectangular.By way of further example and not of limitation, a spectrumcharacterized by a small range of maximum values rather than only onemaximum value can also be considered substantially rectangular.Substantially rectangular spectra can be continuous functions ordiscrete wavelength (sampled) functions. Examples of continuoussubstantially rectangular spectra and discrete wavelength substantiallyrectangular spectra are depicted in FIGS. 14B and 14C, respectively.

FIGS. 15A-15D depict an image capture device processing method, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, usingsynthesized rectangular spectra.

FIG. 15A depicts an actual image spectrum S[λ] (1505A) being captured byan image capture device. The actual image spectrum S[λ] (1505A) isapplied to the image capture device spectral sensitivities [ r _(S)[λ],g _(S)[λ], b _(S)[λ]] (1510A) to produce image capture device sensoroutputs [R_(S), G_(S), B_(S)] (1515A). The image capture device sensoroutputs [R_(S), G_(S), B_(S)] (1515A) can be input to a spectralsynthesis module (1520A) to generate a spectral representationcharacterized by rectangular spectral parameters [λ_(↑), λ_(↓), I](1525A). The synthesized rectangular spectrum (1525A) is adapted toproduce the observed image capture device sensor outputs [R_(S), G_(S),B_(S)] (1515A) if applied to the image capture device:

R _(S) =I[∫] _(λ) _(↑) _(,λ) _(↓) r _(S) [λ]dλ

G _(S) =I[∫] _(λ) _(↑) _(,λ) _(↓) g _(S) [λ]dλ

B _(S) =I[∫] _(λ) _(↑) _(,λ) _(↓) b _(S) [λ]dλ

where the integration symbol denotes circular integration over the λdomain

λ ↑ , λ ↓ ≡ ∫ λ ↑ λ ↓ ,  if   λ ↑ ≤ λ ↓ ∫ λ ↑ λ max  + ∫ λ min λ ↓ , otherwise .

The synthesized rectangular spectrum (1525A) can be applied to aspectral application module (1530A) to produce correct color outputs [X,Y, Z] (1535A).

Alternatively, the [λ_(min), λ_(max)] domain itself can be interpretedas circular, allowing all spectra to have a band-pass form. In such acase, what were formerly band-gap spectra become band-pass spectra thatcross the λ_(min), λ_(max) point.

Hence, mathematically, the first step is to solve for [λ_(↑), λ_(↓), I](1525A) given the image capture device sensor outputs [R_(S), G_(S),B_(S)] (1515A). Once parameters of the rectangular spectrum have beendetermined, computation of the correct output [X, Y, Z] (1535A) canfollow directly:

X=I∫ _(λ) _(↑) _(,λ) _(↓) x[λ]dλ

Y=I∫ _(λ) _(↑) _(,λ) _(↓) y[λ]dλ

Z=I∫ _(λ) _(↑) _(,λ) _(↓) z[λ]dλ

This process is depicted in FIG. 15D. Specifically, the wavelengthsλ_(↑) and λ_(↓) in addition to the color matching functions [ x[λ],y[λ], z[λ]] are sent to a circular integration module (1505D). Resultsof the integrations are individually multiplied by the scale factor Ivia a multiplication module (1510D) to generate correct color outputvalues [X, Y, Z] (1535A).

Performance of this process of using a rectangular spectralrepresentation Ŝ[λ] equivalent to the original image's spectralrepresentation S[λ] to obtain correct color output for image capturedevices can take any of several forms, each with different complexityand performance.

In one embodiment, with reference back to FIG. 15A, a generallycomputation-intensive implementation can first determine rectangularparameters [λ_(↑), λ_(↓), I] (1525A) and then produce the output color[X, Y, Z] (1535A) from rectangular spectra characterized by [λ_(↑),λ_(↓), I] (1525A). Because the number of degrees of freedom (e.g., threein this case) is conserved, this process provides a mapping from [R_(S),G_(S), B_(S)] to [X, Y, Z] as depicted in FIG. 16.

A three-dimensional look up table (3D-LUT) can be utilized to performthis mapping. It is also possible to perform computations (to beprovided below) and then use a 2D-LUT based on the computations todetermine the transition wavelengths λ_(↑) and λ_(↓). The transitionwavelengths can be then used to determine the scale factor I. Thisprocess is depicted in FIG. 15B.

FIG. 15B depicts a spectral synthesis module (1520A) that can beutilized in the image capture device processing method depicted in FIG.15A. Image capture device sensor outputs [R_(S), G_(S), B_(S)] (1515A)are input into a wavelength determination module (1505B, depicted infurther detail in FIG. 15C) to determine λ_(↑) and λ_(↓). Thecomputations can involve computing (1500C) values p and q (1505C) basedon the image capture device sensor outputs [R_(S), G_(S), B_(S)](1515A):

$p = \frac{R_{S}}{R_{S} + G_{S} + B_{S}}$$q = {\frac{G_{S}}{R_{S} + G_{S} + B_{S}}.}$

A two-dimensional lookup table (2D-LUT, 1510C) can then be utilized tomap the values p and q (1505C) to determine the transition wavelengthsλ_(↑) and λ_(↓) (1515C). Based on these transition wavelengths λ_(↑) andλ_(↓), the scale factor I can be determined by a scale factorcomputation module (1520B) comprised of a circular integration module(1510B) and a division module (1515B). The circular integration module(1510B) can perform circular integration of any one of the image capturedevice spectral sensitivities [ r _(S)[λ], g _(S)[λ], b _(S)[λ]] (1510A)over an interval defined by the transition wavelengths λ_(↑) and λ_(↓).A result of the circular integration module (1510B) is then provided tothe division module (1515B) to produce a scale factor I. Specifically,scale factor I can be given by the following equation:

I = R S ↑ , ↓  r _ S  [ λ ]   λ = G S ↑ , ↓  g _ s  [ λ ]   λ =B S ↑ , ↓  b _ s  [ λ ]   λ .

These integrals can be computed, for instance, with two table look-upsand addition/subtraction operations.

FIG. 15E depicts another embodiment wherein a second 2-D LUT (1510E) isused to replace the circular integrals 1505D and 1510B and the division1515B. In this embodiment the scale factor I would be

I = R S + G S + B S ↑ , ↓  [ r _ S  ( λ ) + g _ S  ( λ ) + b _ S  (λ ) ]   λ .

The numerator of this expression is labeled Σ and sent to themultiplication unit 1540E. The denominator of this is included in the2-D LUT 1510E. 2-D LUT 1510E contains the un-normalized outputs [{tildeover (X)}, {tilde over (Y)}, {tilde over (Z)}] which are the results ofthe following calculations as a function of λ_(↑),λ_(↓):

X ~ = ↑ , ↓  x _  ( λ )   λ ↑ , ↓  [ r _ S  ( λ ) + g _ S  ( λ) + b _ S  ( λ ) ]   λ Y ~ = ↑ , ↓  y _  ( λ )   λ ↑ , ↓  [ r _S  ( λ ) + g _ S  ( λ ) + b _ S  ( λ ) ]   λ Z ~ = ↑ , ↓  z _  (λ )   λ ↑ , ↓  [ r _ S  ( λ ) + g _ S  ( λ ) + b _ S  ( λ ) ]  λ

These outputs only need to be multiplied by Σ to produce the finalresult [X, Y, Z].

FIG. 15F depicts an example of further simplification. The two 2-D LUTs1510C and 1510E shown in FIG. 15E can be combined into a single 2-D LUT1510F. The 2-D LUT 1510F is no larger than 2-D LUT 1510E and it alsoeliminates any quantization or round-off error due to finiteimplementations of it inputs λ_(Ξ),λ_(↓). FIG. 15F is the simplestimplementation possible, and therefore often a preferred implementation.

FIG. 15F is also a method for implementing general color modificationsthat conserve overall linearity as described in paragraph [0080]. The2-D LUT 1510F can contain the results of the calculations describedherein or some other method such as a least-square fit over some chosentraining set. For example, in an embodiment, given inputs Σ, p, and q(1505E), one may either compute analytically or measure un-normalizedoutputs [{tilde over (X)}_(o), {tilde over (Y)}_(o), {tilde over(Z)}_(o)]. Then, the 2-D LUT 1510F may be constructed so that its output[{tilde over (X)}, {tilde over (Y)}, {tilde over (Z)}] approximates[{tilde over (X)}_(o), {tilde over (Y)}_(o), {tilde over (Z)}_(o)]according to a matching or best fit criterion, such as minimizing themean-square-distance between [{tilde over (X)}_(o), {tilde over(Y)}_(o), {tilde over (Z)}_(o)] and [{tilde over (X)}, {tilde over (Y)},{tilde over (Z)}].

The method of the preceding discussion involving synthesis of arectangular spectral representation equivalent to the spectralrepresentation of the image captured by the image capture device can beutilized in examining and characterizing image capture device accuracy.With some spectra, this method can result in an output rectangularspectrum which is identical to the input rectangular spectrum for someset of stimuli.

According to several embodiments of the present disclosure, a method fordetermining this set of stimuli is provided as follows. The method canfirst comprise simulating exposure of a cube in [λ_(↑), λ_(↓), I] (1705)to the image capture device's spectral sensitivities [ r _(S)[λ], g_(S)[λ], b _(S)[λ]] (1710) to produce simulated image capture devicesensor outputs [R_(S), G_(S), B_(S)] (1715). The cube (1705) provides arepresentation of rectangular spectra in rectangular space defined bythree dimensions [λ_(↑), λ_(↓), I]. Specifically, each point in the cubecorresponds to a rectangular spectrum, where the rectangular spectrum ischaracterized by a scale factor I, a first wavelength λ_(↑) being awavelength where the input spectrum transitions from zero to the scalefactor, and a second wavelength λ_(↓) being a wavelength where the inputspectrum transitions from the input scale factor to zero. A next step isto determine by comparison (1730) a set of spectra for which an output[{tilde over (λ)}_(↑), {tilde over (λ)}_(↓), Ĩ] (1725) of the previouslydescribed spectral synthesis method is the same as the input [λ_(↑),λ_(↓), I] (1705) as depicted in FIG. 17. The set of rectangular spectrawhich can be recovered exactly using this method constitutes an imagecapture device gamut. Rectangular spectra which cannot be recoveredexactly constitute what is commonly referred to as image capture devicemetamerism.

The examples set forth above are provided to give those of ordinaryskill in the art a complete disclosure and description of how to makeand use the embodiments of the spectral synthesis for image capturedevice processing of the disclosure, and are not intended to limit thescope of what the inventor/inventors regard as their disclosure.

Modifications of the above-described modes for carrying out the methodsand systems herein disclosed that are obvious to persons of skill in theart are intended to be within the scope of the following claims. Allpatents and publications mentioned in the specification are indicativeof the levels of skill of those skilled in the art to which thedisclosure pertains. All references cited in this disclosure areincorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference hadbeen incorporated by reference in its entirety individually.

It is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to particularmethods or systems, which can, of course, vary. It is also to beunderstood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to belimiting. As used in this specification and the appended claims, thesingular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless thecontent clearly dictates otherwise. The term “plurality” includes two ormore referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Unlessdefined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein havethe same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in theart to which the disclosure pertains.

The methods and systems described in the present disclosure may beimplemented in hardware, software, firmware or combination thereof.Features described as blocks, modules or components may be implementedtogether (e.g., in a logic device such as an integrated logic device) orseparately (e.g., as separate connected logic devices). The softwareportion of the methods of the present disclosure may comprise acomputer-readable medium which comprises instructions that, whenexecuted, perform, at least in part, the described methods. Thecomputer-readable medium may comprise, for example, a random accessmemory (RAM) and/or a read-only memory (ROM). The instructions may beexecuted by a processor (e.g., a digital signal processor (DSP), anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field programmablegate array (FPGA)).

A number of embodiments of the disclosure have been described.Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications can bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of thefollowing claims.

LIST OF REFERENCES

-   [1] wikipedia.org/wiki/Multispectral_image, retrieved 6 Dec. 2011-   [2] Wyszecki, G. and Stiles, W. S., Color Science: Concepts and    Methods, Quantitative Data and Formulae, Wiley-Interscience, 2002,    pp, 187-188.-   [3] M. Parmar, et al, “A Database of High Dynamic Range Visible and    Near-infrared Multispectral Images”, Proc. IS&T/SPIE Electronic    Imaging 2008: Digital Photography IV.-   [4] wikipedia.org/wild/CIE_(—)1931_color_space, retrieved 29 Nov.    2011.-   [5] MacAdam, David L., “The Theory of the Maximum Visual Efficiency    of Color Materials,” J. Optical Soc. Am., Vol. 25, pp. 249-252,    1935.-   [6] “Color Image Processing Pipeline. A General Survey of Digital    Still Camera Processing”, IEEE Signal Processing Magazine, vol. 22,    no. 1, pp. 34-43, 2005.-   [7] wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayer_filter, retrieved 6 Dec. 2011-   [8] wikipedia.org/wiki/White_balance, retrieved 6 Dec. 2011-   [9] Logvinenko, Alexander D., “An Object Color Space”, J. Vision.    9(11):5, pp. 1-23, 2009

TABLE A Rectangular Spectra Rectangular spectra possess many usefulproperties: a) MacAdam efficiency b) Complete (all possiblechromaticity) c) 3 degrees of freedom d) Maximally compact spectra

The last property, compactness, arises because there are fundamentallytwo ways to de-saturate any chromaticity: broaden the spectrum or addwhite. Logvinenko (see reference [9], incorporated herein by referencein its entirety) exploited this property to produce a more general formfor the reflective spectra of objects (and also replaced λ_(↑) and λ_(↓)with an equivalent form using the center wavelength and a signedbandwidth where negative bandwidths were used to represent bandgapspectra).

FIG. 2 depicts how the band-pass and band-gap behavior appears inchromaticity space. Note that the boundary between band-pass andband-gap regions has two segments: one segment runs from theequal-energy white point to the maximum wavelength red, and the othersegment runs from the white point to the minimum wavelength blue. Theseare referred to as the white-red boundary and the white-blue boundary,respectively.

It is possible to use circular integrals to hide the distinction betweenband-pass and band-gap spectra. This can also be achieved by consideringthe wavelength domain to be circular, also eliminating the distinctionbetween band-pass and band-gap spectra. FIGS. 5A-5C depict this circulardomain over which the integrals are evaluated. Specifically, FIG. 5Adepicts the circular wavelength domain, FIG. 5B depicts a band-passrectangular spectrum, and FIG. 5C depicts a band-gap rectangularspectrum.

Note that λ_(min) and λ_(max) are the same point in the circularrepresentation and that λ increases in the counter-clockwise direction.In the circular representation the integral is always from λ_(↑) toλ_(↓) and the solution is always band-pass as depicted in FIG. 18. Analternative visualization of this would be to draw these spectra on theoutside of a tube so that λ_(min) and λ_(max) can be the same point.

Referring now to FIG. 19, the white-red and white-blue boundary segmentsof FIG. 2 are where λ_(↑) or λ_(↓) fall on the λ_(min)/λ_(max) boundary.The white-red boundary is where λ_(↓) falls on λ_(max), and thewhite-blue boundary is where λ_(↑) falls on λ_(min).

It is illustrative to see how the (x,y) solution space for band-pass andband-gap spectra depicted in FIG. 2 maps into the domain in[λ_(↑),λ_(↓)] space depicted in FIGS. 20A and 20B.

An equal energy white point E is where λ_(↓)=λ_(min) and λ_(↓)=λ_(max).The diagonal line is on the spectral local if approached from theband-pass side or near the white-point if approached from the band-gapside. The upper triangular region for band-pass spectra is a closed set(it includes its boundary) while the triangular region for band-gapspectra is open (it does not include its boundary). FIG. 15B depicts thetrajectory in the two-dimensional λ-space of relatively narrow-bandspectra of bandwidth δ and a center frequency that traverses thecircular lambda domain. As the center frequency goes from λ_(min)+δ/2 toλ_(max)−δ/2, the hues pass through violet (V), blue (B), cyan (C), green(G), yellow (Y) and red (R). When the center frequency is within δ/2 of[λ_(min), λ_(max)] the hue passes through magenta.

1-28. (canceled)
 29. A method for synthesizing a substantiallyrectangular spectral representation of a plurality of image capturedevice sensor outputs, the plurality of image capture device sensoroutputs being a result of an input spectrum of an image being applied toa corresponding plurality of image capture device spectral sensitivitiesof an image capture device, the method comprising: providing theplurality of image capture device sensor outputs; determining a firstwavelength and a second wavelength of the substantially rectangularspectral representation based on the plurality of image capture devicesensor outputs; wherein the determining of the first wavelength and thesecond wavelength comprises: dividing two of the image capture devicesensor outputs by the sum of all of the image capture device sensoroutputs; and using a two-dimensional look-up table to map results of thedividing to determine the first wavelength and the second wavelength;and computing a scale factor based on any one of the image capturedevice sensor outputs and its corresponding image capture devicespectral sensitivity to synthesize the substantially rectangularspectral representation based on the plurality of image capture devicesensor outputs, wherein the computing of the scale factor comprises:performing a circular integration of an image capture device spectralsensitivity across an interval defined by the first wavelength and thesecond wavelength of the substantially rectangular spectralrepresentation, wherein the image capture device spectral sensitivity isassociated with a corresponding image capture device sensor output fromamong the plurality of image capture device sensor outputs; and dividingthe associated corresponding image capture device sensor output by aresult of the circular integration to compute the scale factor; wherein:the synthesized substantially rectangular spectral representation isadapted to produce the plurality of image capture device sensor outputsif applied to the image capture device, and the first wavelengthcomprises a wavelength where the substantially rectangular spectralrepresentation transitions from zero to the scale factor and the secondwavelength comprises a wavelength where the substantially rectangularspectral representation transitions from the scale factor to zero. 30.The method according to claim 29, wherein the plurality of image capturedevice sensor outputs may contain negative values.
 31. A method forgenerating output color values of an output color space from a pluralityof image capture device sensor outputs, the plurality of image capturedevice sensor outputs being a result of an input spectrum of an imagecaptured by an image capture device, the method comprising: providingcolor matching functions associated with the output color space;providing the plurality of image capture device sensor outputs;synthesizing a spectral representation based on the plurality of imagecapture device sensor outputs, wherein the synthesizing of the spectralrepresentation comprises generating a substantially rectangular spectralrepresentation by performing the method according to claim 29 and thesynthesized spectral representation is adapted to produce the pluralityof image capture device sensor outputs if applied to the image capturedevice; and applying the synthesized spectral representation to thecolor matching functions to obtain the output color values.
 32. Themethod according to claim 31, wherein the applying of the synthesizedspectral representation comprises: performing circular integrations ofthe color matching functions across an interval defined by the firstwavelength and the second wavelength of the synthesized spectralrepresentation; and multiplying results of the circular integrations bythe scale factor to obtain the output color values.
 33. A systemconfigured to synthesize a substantially rectangular spectralrepresentation based on a plurality of image capture device sensoroutputs, the plurality of image capture device sensor outputs being aresult of an input spectrum of an image being applied to a correspondingplurality of image capture device spectral sensitivities of an imagecapture device, the system comprising: a wavelength determination modulethat is configured to determine a first wavelength and a secondwavelength of the substantially rectangular spectral representationbased on the plurality of image capture device sensor outputs; whereinthe wavelength determination module comprises: a division module that isconfigured to divide two of the image capture device sensor outputs bythe sum of all of the image capture device sensor outputs; and atwo-dimensional look-up table that is configured to map outputs of thedivision module to determine the first wavelength and the secondwavelength and a scale factor computation module that is configured tocompute a scale factor based on any one of the image capture devicesensor outputs and its corresponding image capture device spectralsensitivity, wherein the scale factor computation module comprises: acircular integration module that is configured to perform a circularintegration of an image capture device spectral sensitivity across aninterval defined by the first wavelength and the second wavelength ofthe substantially rectangular spectral representation, wherein the imagecapture device spectral sensitivity is associated with a correspondingimage capture device sensor output from among the plurality of imagecapture device sensor outputs; and a division module that is configuredto divide the associated corresponding image capture device sensoroutput by an output of the circular integration module to compute thescale factor, wherein: the synthesized spectral representation isadapted to produce the plurality of image capture device sensor outputsif applied to the image capture device, and the first wavelengthcomprises a wavelength where the substantially rectangular spectralrepresentation transitions from zero to the scale factor and the secondwavelength comprises a wavelength where the substantially rectangularspectral representation transitions from the scale factor to zero. 34.The system of claim 33, wherein the plurality of image capture devicesensor outputs may contain negative values.
 35. A system configured togenerate output color values of an output color space from a pluralityof image capture device sensor outputs, the plurality of image capturedevice sensor outputs being a result of an input spectrum of an imageadapted to be captured by an image capture device, wherein the outputcolor space is associated with color matching functions, the systemcomprising: a spectral synthesis module that is configured to synthesizea spectral representation based on the plurality of image capture devicesensor outputs, wherein the spectral synthesis module comprises thesystem according to claim 33 and the synthesized spectral representationis adapted to produce the plurality of image capture device sensoroutputs if applied to the image capture device; and a spectralapplication module that is configured to apply the synthesized spectralrepresentation to the color matching functions to generate the outputcolor values.
 36. The system according to claim 35, wherein the spectralapplication module comprises: a circular integration module that isconfigured to perform circular integrations of the color matchingfunctions across an interval defined by the first wavelength and thesecond wavelength of the synthesized spectral representation; and amultiplication module that is configured to multiply outputs of thecircular integration module by the scale factor to obtain the outputcolor values (1535A).
 37. A tangible computer-readable medium containinga set of instructions that causes a computer to perform the methodrecited in claim
 29. 38. A spectral synthesis module to generate coloroutput signals in response to image capture device sensor outputs, thespectral synthesis module comprising: an input module to receive imagecapture device sensor outputs (1515A); the image capture device sensoroutputs being a result of an input spectrum of an image being applied tocorresponding image capture device spectral sensitivities of an imagecapture device (1710); a processing module (1500E) to divide two of theimage capture device sensor outputs by a first scale factor (Σ); whereinthe first scale factor comprises the sum of all of the image capturedevice sensor outputs; a first two-dimensional look-up table (2-D LUT)(1510C) to map results of the dividing to determine a first wavelengthand a second wavelength; wherein the first wavelength comprises awavelength where a substantially rectangular spectral representationtransitions from zero to a second scale factor (I) and the secondwavelength comprises a wavelength where the substantially rectangularspectral representation transitions from the second scale factor valueto zero; wherein the second scale factor comprises a ratio of the firstscale factor divided by a circular integral of the sum of the imagecapture device spectral sensitivities of the image capture device(1710); a second 2-D LUT (1510E) to map the first wavelength and thesecond wavelength to a first set of color output signals; and amultiplier (1540E) to multiply the first set of color output signalswith the first scale factor to output a second set of color outputsignals.
 39. The spectral synthesis module of claim 38, wherein thefirst 2-D LUT (1510C) and the second 2-D LUT (1510E) are combined into athird 2-D LUT (1510F), wherein the third 2-D LUT maps the results of thedividing to determine the first set of color output signals.
 40. Thespectral synthesis module of claim 39, wherein values of the third 2-DLUT are determined in response to a best fit method, the best fit methodminimizing according to a distance criterion the distance between theoutput of the third 2-D LUT and a test set of color output signals. 41.The spectral synthesis module of claim 40, wherein the distancecriterion is the mean-square error criterion.
 42. A spectral synthesismodule to generate color output signals in response to image capturedevice sensor outputs, the spectral synthesis module comprising: aninput module to receive image capture device sensor outputs (1515A); theimage capture device sensor outputs being a result of an input spectrumof an image being applied to corresponding image capture device spectralsensitivities of an image capture device (1710); a processing module(1500E) to divide two of the image capture device sensor outputs by afirst scale factor (Σ), wherein the first scale factor comprises the sumof all of the image capture device sensor outputs; a two-dimensionallook-up table (2-D LUT) (1510F) to map results of the dividing todetermine a first set of color output signals; and a multiplier (1540E)to multiply the first set of color output signals with the first scalefactor to output a second set of color output signals.
 43. The spectralsynthesis module of claim 42, wherein values of the 2-D LUT aredetermined in response to a best fit method, the best fit methodminimizing according to a distance criterion the distance between theoutput of the 2-D LUT and a test set of color output signals.
 44. Thespectral synthesis module of claim 43, wherein the distance criterion isthe mean-square error criterion.
 45. A tangible computer-readable mediumcontaining a set of instructions that causes a computer to performoperations comprising: accessing image capture device sensor outputs(1515A); the image capture device sensor outputs being a result of aninput spectrum of an image being applied to corresponding image capturedevice spectral sensitivities of an image capture device; dividing twoof the image capture device sensor outputs by a first scale factor (Σ),wherein the first scale factor comprises the sum of all of the imagecapture device sensor outputs; mapping using a two-dimensional look-uptable (2-D LUT) (1510F) the results of the dividing to determine a firstset of color output signals; and multiplying the first set of coloroutput signals with the first scale factor to output a second set ofcolor output signals.